NOW PLAYING

Netanyahu's bargaining tool?

Israel has formally requested the US to pardon a Jewish American man convicted of spying.

04 Jan 2011 19:33 GMT

Jonathan Pollard has been in prison in the US for 26 years, convicted in 1985 for being an Israeli spy.

Now, the Israeli government has formally requested his release. But some speculate that Israel is using Pollard as a bargaining tool to meet American demands in the frozen Israel-Palestinian negotiations.